GORILLA BATS - Breaking in a new shaved or rolled bat

Mar 28th 2017Gorilla

I will give you some tips on how to properly break in your bat. No matter the shaving spec you go with, ALL bats require some level of break in. Some take only a few swings while others take more than a few. You may read on our competitors websites that their shaving and rolling process fully breaks in your bat. This cannot be anymore further from the truth. NOTE: You have to physically swing your bat for it to break in as it was intended to. Yes, shaving / rolling does simulate swings, however, nothing can simulate the real thing....which is actually hitting a ball.

Miken / Worth

Uses a thick, multi-layered, hard composite on 1 piece models and thick, multi-layered softer composite on 2 piece. 1 piece models have a stiff feel and require quite a bit of break in. 2 piece models are soft with a lot of taper flex and require hardly any break in.

USSSA (1 piece) - hit 44/400s until you see spiral cracks or notice a change in sound. The bat will remain stiff and will never get soft.

USSSA (2 piece) - hit 40/325 ZNs or Rocks until it softens up. You can hit 44/400s + but suggest to limit its use. These bats drop compression very fast.

ASA (1 piece) - hit hard balls (44/400 +) until you see spiral cracks or notice a change in sound. The bat will remain stiff and will never get soft.

ASA (2 piece) - hit hard balls (44/400 +) until you notice a change in sound. The bat will soften up and you will notice the ball beginning to jump very hard off the bat

Senior - hit USSSA 40/325s until it loosens up. Typically does not take many swings.

Easton

Uses a thin, very hard composite. End result is a soft feel. Eastons in general take some time to break in. Some bats take longer than others, but in general, Easton is a VERY durable product that gets very hot if you stick with it.

USSSA - hit very hard balls (44/400s or harder) and keep swinging it until you feel it loosen. This may take a full dedicated BP session on the bat or 2. Typically the 2 piece Eastons break in a little faster than the 1 piece models.

ASA - hit very hard balls (44/400s or harder) and keep swinging it until you see paint cracks starting to develop and then let it ride. If you do not see paint cracks, the bat is not beginning to loosen up and should continue to be swung. You want to see the cracks forming. These models will develop more and more as it breaks in.

Senior - hit USSSA 40/325s until it loosens up. Typically does not take many swings.

Demarini

Uses a thick, semi hard composite that breaks in relatively fast resulting in a soft feel.

USSSA - hit very hard balls until you notice a change in sound. Preferably 44/400s or harder. Typically has a very fast break in period. You will know when the bat wakes up.

ASA - hit 44/375s until you feel the bat soften up. Typically does not need many swings

Senior - hit 40/325 USSSA bats until it softens up. Typically does not take many swings.

As for Baseball or Fastpitch, please just hit the balls until you hear the sound change in the bat. You will also start to see spider or small cracks in the composite.

If you have any other questions please feel free to call, text, or use our live chat.